Sporting moments - I

I wonder why I'm so succinct with all my writings. Be it answers in an exam paper or this blog. Almost through the day, there's a flood of thoughts, words, racing about in my mind for putting onto this blog, but somehow very very few of them actually find their way through to my fingers and onto the screen. I sometimes wish there was a mind-recorder attached to my brain, noting down this stream of thoughts and just typing it out. That way I'd be writing much much more and I feel, better as well. Its just that I'm always wanting what I write to be near-perfect, if not perfect. I find it difficult to write in a way, which when read would seem like I'm speaking with you, the reader.

Anyways, this post was intended to refresh some of my memories of great sporting moments that I've experienced in school. They are vivid in my memory, as though they've just happened! And they almost bring me to tears when I relive those moments of unbridled joy...

• It was I guess one of my first cricket coaching camps, probably class V or VI. I remember being a huge fan of Curtly Ambrose during those days and used to mimic his action to the T. Of course at 1/3rd his height, I wouldn't have been able to get that kind of bounce, but I was always quite pacy :-P .. My bowling coach (forgot his name.. was a district bowler and looked a lot like the head mess-guy at IIM-I who goes around in that Luna-esque motorcycle) had a close look at my first ball. It was a good ball I thought to myself. But he immediately took me aside and explained not to have an 'open-chested action' like a West-Indian fast bowler! He said I should try and bowl like Allan Donald instead! Knowing, and being a great admirer of his action as well, the next ball was Allan Donald steaming in! A pat on the back right after that ensured that the action has stuck with me for the rest of my life, although depending on the situation I now switch to Warne, Sehwag, Saqqi or Pollock even! But yes, those were the days.. early summer mornings, running off to school in whites and playing like there was no tomorrow!
• Another memorable instance was when I was in Class X I think, or maybe Class IX.. We had an inter-class 'challenge' match! It was the world-cup of our school! :-P I always prided myself as a bowler who could do his bit as a pinch-hitter (yeah I know given my frame it looks nigh impossible that I could get the ball past the bowler even.. but its all about timing yaar ;-)) Anyways, as it stood, the match hung in the balance, I was the last guy left at the crease with 5 runs to win.. enough overs left, but I couldn't, of course, afford to get out! I struggled for the first 3-4 balls, trying a different batting stance (I don't know why). With junta shouting, screaming, egging me on, sledging me, ridiculing me, all at the same time... somehow I managed to connect the next ball and swank it over the bowler's head for a six! That was it.. for one moment I didn't know what the hell happened! The next moment, I was in the air, being tossed around like a praying-mantis on a hot frying pan!
• My first, and only, Gold medal came in an unlikely setting.. a three-legged race partnering a guy twice my size! I can't remember the reason we paired up but what I can remember is enjoying running a most terrific race. We ran and ran, and before we knew it we were in the lead. Amit burst into a laugh, as he couldn't believe his eyes, as many of our accomplished competitors fell, tripped or just slowed down! Somehow... somehow, containing our laughter, we finished the race! It was great!! And that remains my only gold medal to date! :-D

There're many many more instances I reminisce.. maybe in a later post as the evening belongs to (Abhishek) Sharma - the Marketing DUDE - who needs to buy short-pants :-P

Over n out.